ABOUT THE TOEIC

The test of English for International Communication, or (TOEIC) test, assesses English
language skills for business. It covers the vocabulary and situations business people
encounter when using English all over the world.

This test is a paper and pencil, multiple-choice assessment. It has two (2) sections:
Listening Comprehension and Reading. In the listening Comprehension Section,
there are four (4) different listening sections that give you the chance to show well you
understand spoken English. You will have approximately 45 minutes to answer 100
questions. The four parts to this section are:

Part 1: Photos 10 questions

Part 2: Question-Response 30 questions
Part 3: Conversations 30 questions
Part 4: Talks 30 questions

For all four parts, you will listen to audio. You will choose the correct answer from four
written answers: (A), (B),, (C), or (D) in Parts 1, 3, and 4; and from three written
answers in Part 2.

Part 1: Photos

In part 1of Listening Comprehension, you will see a photo and you will hear four
statements, but you will not see these four statements in the test book. You will hear the
statements just once. Listen carefully to understand what the speaker says.

When you are listening to the four statements, look at the photo in your test book.
Choose the statement that best describes the photo. The statements in part 1 may have
any of these five characteristics:

The statements are often in present continuous tense

The statements are often use pronouns instead of names
The statements are brief; they rarely use more than five or six words
Contractions are often used
The definite article the is often used

There four (4) skills that you can notice in Part 1:

Skill 1: Developing Business Vocabulary.

1. Board a. late
2. Change b. money in the form of coins
3. Delayed c. a place where a train arrives
4. Discussion d. get on a train or plane
5. Station e. a conversation about a topic
Skill 2: Analyzing the Photo

Some TOEIC test questions ask for information about the photo. You will need to
analyze the photo and practice describing what is happening in the photo

Skill Focus: When you analyze the photo, look for the overall focus. This is a main
idea. Look at what seems to be happening and what people are doing. Describe the
scene to yourself, but try to differentiate between key ideas and details.

Skill 3: Distinguishing Similar Sounds

In the new TOEIC test, you may have to choose among statements that contain similar-
sounding word. Some English words have similar pronunciations. To distinguish similar-
sounding words, listen carefully for the differences in sounds. Then think about what will
next sense in the sentence. To learn how to distinguish similar sounds, you should hear
the words pronounced in pairs. The pairs of words that follow all have similar sounds.
Example, personal and personnel, respectively and respectfully, than and then etc.

Skill 4: Making Inferences

In the new TOEIC test, you may be asked to make inferences about the photos. When
you make an inference, you think ahead or predict what might happen next. You may
not see the action, but you can make a guess about the action. Determine the facts
presented in the photo and make inferences accordingly. To make inference about the
future, listen for the future tense of the verb. This will tell you which action we can infer
will happen in the future.

Part 2: Question-Response

In this part, you will hear a question and three responses. You will hear the question and
the responses one time only. You will not be able to read them, so listen carefully and
choose the best response. This part has also four (4) skills:

Skill 1: Developing Business Vocabulary (idem as in part 1)

Skill 2: Distinguishing WH-and Yes/No Questions

In the new TOEIC test, you may have to determine the type of the question asked in
order to choose the correct response. The wording of an answer has to be appropriate
for the type of question asked. Make sure you can distinguish WH- questions from
Yes/No questions.

Skill 3: Identifying Homophones

In the new TOEIC test, you may have to recognize the different meanings of
homophones. Homophones are words that sound alike but have different meanings and
spellings. You cannot distinguish homophones by their pronunciation. You must
distinguish them by the meaning of the sentence.

Skill Focus

Homophones can always be distinguished by their meanings, even you do not see them
written down. Because each homophone in a pair has a different meaning, the words
around a homophone in a sentence will indicate which homophone is being used. If the
homophones are different parts of speech (and many of them are), the position of the
word in the sentence will also help. You will see why this is true when you read the
following example questions and responses.

Example: You will hear: Do you know where are to meet?

(A) In the conference center

(B) Wear a suit
(C) I dont want to meat

You will hear: Where can I hire a guide?

(A) I can make it lower

(B) Go to the tourist agency across the street
(C) It wont go higher

You will hear: Did they raise the fare?

(A) Yes, it costs 50 cents more

(B) Its not fair to anyone
(C) They razed the building

Skill 4: Recognizing Negative Meaning

In the new TOEIC test, you must determine whether statements you hear have positive
or negative meanings. To do this, you will need to learn to recognize negative
expressions and understand how they change meaning.

Example: You will hear Why didnt the presentation start on time?

You will also hear (A) That clock is never wrong

(B) Nobody was late for the presentation
(C) The microphone was not functioning

Choice (C) is the best explanation for the presentation not starting on time. Usually,
English sentences have only one negative word. Verbs are negative when they are
used with the negative word not (such as do not). Other words indicate other negative
ideas, example; nobody, not all, not at all, none, nor, never, neither

Part 3: Conversations

In this part you will hear ten conversations. The conversation is between two people.
You will hear each conversation only once.

Example: You will hear :

Woman: When are you leaving for your trip?

Man: Tomorrow evening on the five oclock train. Ill be gone for 12 days
Woman: Wow. Thats close to two weeks. It must be exciting to travel to faraway places
Man: To tell you the truth, Im not happy about this trip. At this point in my career,
long trips like this just arent interesting anymore.
You will read:

1. How long will this mans trip last?

(A) Four days
(B) Five days
(C) Almost two weeks
(D) Exactly two weeks
2. How will he travel?
(A) By car
(B) By bus
(C) By plane
(D) By train
3. How does he feel about his trip?
(A) Bored
(B) Happy
(C) Excited
(D) Interested

Answers .

Answer for number 1 is choice (C) is the correct answer because the man will be gone
12 days. Number 2. Choice (D) is the correct answer because the man will have five
oclock train. Number 3. Choice (A) because the man is not happy and not interesting

In part 3 the questions ask either about the general idea of the conversation or for
specific information from the conversation. It has three common characteristics.

1. The questions are often very short

2. The questions ask for information (The first word may be a Wh- word)
3. The questions are often in present simple or present continuous tense

Skill 1: Developing Business Vocabulary

Skill 2: Listening for the Main Idea

In part 3,you may be asked questions about the main idea of the conversation. To
answer these questions, focus on the whole conversation, not just part of it.

Example. You will hear:

Man: My car wont start. And look at the time. Ill be rally late for work
Woman : There is a garage around the corner that has a very good mechanic
Man: I guess Ill have to have the car towed there. But then Ill still have to find a
way to get to work.
Woman: The subway station isnt far from here. That should get you anywhere you
want to go fairly quickly.

You will read: Example, What is the problem?

(A) He is lost
(B) He needs a job
(C) The car needs repair
(D) The garage is closed

Choice (C) is the correct answer, my car wont start means something wrong with the
car and it needs to be repaired.

Skill Focus: It is very helpful to distinguish questions that ask for main ideas from other
types of questions. If you know you have to answer a main ide question, you will know
what kind of information to listen for. Those are the common questions for main idea:

What are the speakers planning to do?

Where are the speakers?
Where does this conversation take place?
What are the speakers talking about?

Skill 3: Understanding Wh- Questions

In this part you may be asked information questions that start with Wh-words. To answer
information questions, focus on the meaning of Wh-questions. These types of
questions ask for either the main idea of the conversation or specific information from
conversation.

Example: You will hear :

Woman: I have tickets for one oclock flight. Can you tell me which gate its leaving
from?
Man: Im sorry. That flight has been delayed for two hours. We wont announce
the gate until about 30 minutes before departure.

Woman: Oh, no. That means Ill have a long wait.

Man: There are several nice restaurants right here where you can relax during
your wait.

You will read:

How long has the flight been delayed?

(A) Until one oclock

(B) Until two oclock
(C) For two hours
(D) For three hours

Skill 4: Understanding Modal Verbs

The modal verbs used are; should, can, could, will, would, may, might, and must. Focus
on the meaning of the modals. Modals can express necessity, ability, possibility,
permission, probability, obligation, willingness, or intention.

Example: You will hear:

Woman: I have to catch a p[lane at six oclock. Cant you drive any faster?

Man: I dont think so. Just look at this traffic jam were stuck in. We cant make it
to the airport on time with the roads like this.

Woman: Oh dear. I guess Ill have to take a later flight.

Man: Yes, it looks like youll have to do that. Im sorry.

You will read:

What must the woman do?

(A) Catch a six oclock flight

(B) Get out of the traffic jam
(C) Find a taxi
(D) Take a later flight

Skill Focus:

Modal verbs convey ideas about obligation and possibility. Because modal verbs are
auxiliary verbs, they are used with main verbs. Sometimes the main verb can be
 deleted but only if it is clearly understood (as in answer to Yes/No questions). Study
the following:

Modal Verbs Meanings Examples

can, could ability, permission, o Can we meet in the
willingness or possibility small conference room?
o I can call her for you.
o This loose screw could
have been the problem
will, would intention or probability o Will you type this letter
for me?
o On the train we would
see more scenery
should obligation , intention or o We should mail this
probability letter before the post
office closes.
o The package should
arrive tomorrow
o Maybe we should
must Obligation, necessity, or o I must give Mr. Plating
probability this urgent message
o It must be noon by now
may, might Possibility, or permission o You may leave early
today
o Our company might bid
on the contract

Part 4 Talks

In part 4 you will listen to talks. These are not conversations. They are talks on the
weather, advertisements, recorded announcements and so on. There is only one
speaker. Each talk will be spoken only once. In you test book you will find three question
about the talk. You will also read four answer choices.

Example: You will hear: Attention, shoppers. We have a special sale today on womens
coats. Please visit the Womens Department on the second
floor, where you will find all womens winter coats are 25
percent off. This special deal is for today only. Dont forget to
visit our newly opened caf on the fourth floor. Enjoy hot
coffee, tasty baked goods. Sandwiches, and other delicious
treats while you take a rest from shopping. Remember, our
customers are not charged for parking in the mall garage, but
 you must have your ticket validated by a cashier. Enjoy your
shopping.!

You will read:

1. How long is the sale?

(A) One day
(B) Two days
(C) Three days
(D) Four days
2. What is on the fourth floor?
(A) A bakery
(B) The restroom
(C) A small restaurant
(D) The Womens Department
3. What is free for store customer?
(A) Coffee and sandwiches
(B) Parking
(C) A coat
(D) Movie tickets

Factual questions have the following 3 characteristics:

The questions often begin with Wh-word

The questions are often in the present continuous tense
The answers choices are usually short

Skill 1: Developing Business Vocabualry

Skill 2: Listening for Answers to Wh-Questions

As you listen to the talks in Part 4, keep the Wh-word in mind. The answers to these
questions are the specific facts found in the talks.

Example: You will hear: May I have your attention, please? Because our flight today is
fully booked, we must require that passengers limit their carry-
on items to one person. If you have more than one carry-on
items, please report to the counter now so that attendants may
check your extra bags.

You will read: Who should report to the counter?

 (A) Passengers who want to read
(B) Passengers with two bags
(C) Parents travelling with children
(D) Attendants who are ready to leave

Skill 3: Following the Questions Chronologically

Try to skim the questions quickly before the talk begins. The questions are in the same
order as the information presented in the talk. When the talk begins, go back to the first
question for the talk. You can follow the talk by following the questions.

Example: You will hear: Kakuyama Parking Company announces an increase in the
charges for monthly parking spaces in its lot. The changes will
not go into effect until the first day of July of this year. The new
fee will reflect a 7 percent increase on your current parking
rate.

You will read:

1. What kind of company is making the announcement?

(A) Gardening
(B) Parking
(C) Car sale
(D) banking
2. When will the new rate start?
(A) Immediately
(B) Next month
(C) July 1
(D) Next year
3. How much will the increase be?
(A) One percent
(B) Seven percent
(C) Seventeen percent
(D) Seventy percent

Skill Focus.

Most of the talks will start with general information and more on to specific information.
Sometimes there may be a result or prediction at the end. The questions will follow this
pattern too.. knowing when to expect different kinds of questions can make it easier to
follow the information in a talk. Study the following common question patterns.

Question Types Questions Listen For Examples

General o Who is making o The people o Teachers
this speaking in
 announcement? classrooms,
o Business people
speaking in
meetings.
o Where is the talk o The setting o A business
taking place? meeting, an
airport
o What is the o A problem, an o A deadline, a
discussion about? idea, an object marketing
strategy
Specific o How much is the o Amounts o Ten dollars
increase?
o When is it due? o Time expressions o Next Friday
Result or Prediction o What will happen o A logical or o They will hire
next? probable more personnel
o How will they outcome o They will have
probably solve the the fax machine
problem? repaired

Skill 4: Making Inference

In this part you may be asked questions for which you must make inferences. These
questions will not be about stated facts, but about conclusions or judgments you must
make.

Example: You will hear: If you are ambitious and want to move ahead in your career, or
if you want to enter a new field of business, we guarantee that
you will gain a competitive edge by attending our seminars on
professional development. The seminars are offered at many
locations in the metropolitan area, at convenient evening
hours. Choose the entire program of seminars, or select only
the areas that interest you.

You will read: Who will be interested in this advertisement?

(A) Teachers
(B) Farmers
(C) Athletes
(D) Business people